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The iMac "Core i7" 3.1 21.5-Inch Aluminum (Late 2012) technically is a "configure-to-order" configuration of the iMac "Core i5" 2.9 21.5-Inch Aluminum (Late 2012), but also is documented as a separate model for reader convenience. Other than processor (and the corresponding level 3 cache), these two models are identical.

This model has a 21.5" 1920x1080 LED-backlit 16:9 widescreen IPS display with the "cover glass fully laminated to the LCD and anti-reflective coating." The rear of the case is aluminum and is thicker in the middle and tapers to a razor thin 5 mm at the edges.

In addition to a thinner case design, the "Late 2012" iMac models have faster processors, faster architectures, faster RAM (although it cannot be upgraded easily in the 21.5-Inch models), faster graphics, as well as different connectivity than the "Mid-2011" iMac line replaced.

The "Late 2012" iMac models include a compact aluminum Apple Wireless Keyboard and the choice of either a multi-touch "Magic Mouse" or a multi-touch "Magic Trackpad" that "enables users to scroll smoothly up and down a page with inertial scrolling, pinch to zoom in and out, rotate an image with their fingertips and swipe three fingers to flip through a collection of web pages or photos."

Also see:

What are all the differences between the "Late 2012" Aluminum iMac models?

What are all the differences between the "Late 2012" Aluminum iMac models and the "Mid-2011" models that they replaced?

The "Introduction Date" refers to the date a model was introduced via press release. It shipped on November 30, 2012. The "Discontinued Date" refers to the date a model either was replaced by a subsequent system or production otherwise ended.

Geekbench 2 benchmarks are in 32-bit and 64-bit modes, respectively. These numbers reflect an average of user provided 32-bit and 64-bit results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better.

You also might be interested in reviewing all 32-bit and 64-bit Geekbench 2 user submissions for Macs with the iMac13,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models.

These Geekbench 3 benchmarks are in 32-bit mode and are for a single processor core and all processor cores, respectively. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better.

You also might be interested in reviewing all 32-bit single core and multicore Geekbench 3 user submissions for Macs with the iMac13,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models.

These Geekbench 3 benchmarks are in 64-bit mode and are for a single processor core and all processor cores, respectively. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better.

You also might be interested in reviewing all 64-bit single core and multicore Geekbench 3 user submissions for Macs with the iMac13,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models.

This model is powered by a 22 nm, 64-bit Intel Core i7 (3770S) "Ivy Bridge" processor with quad cores (four independent processor cores on a single silicon chip, each with one thread). Each core has a dedicated 256k level 2 cache and all processor cores share a single 8 MB level 3 cache. It also supports Turbo Boost 2.0 (up to 3.9 GHz) -- which "automatically boosts the processor speed based on workload" (so if an application is only using one of the four cores it will automatically increase the speed of the core in use and turn off the unused cores) -- and "Hyper Threading" -- which allows the system to recognize eight total "cores" or "threads" (four real and four virtual).

Also see: How fast are the "Late 2012" Aluminum iMac models compared to one another? How much faster are the "Late 2012" models than the "Mid-2011" models replaced?

Turbo Boost:

3.9 GHz

Custom Speeds:

N/A

Details:

N/A

Processor Upgrade:

LGA 1155 (Socket H2)*

FPU:

Integrated

Details:

*Officially, Apple provides no information about whether or not the processor in this model can be upgraded and the company does not intend for one to upgrade the processor either. However, the processor is mounted on a LGA 1155 socket and can be physically upgraded.

Also see: Is it possible to upgrade the processor in the "Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac models?

System Bus Speed:

5 GT/s*

Cache Bus Speed:

3.1 GHz (Built-in)

Details:

*This system has a "Direct Media Interface" (DMI) that "connects between the processor and chipset" in lieu of a traditional system bus. Intel reports that it runs at 5 GT/s.

ROM/Firmware Type:

EFI

EFI Architecture:

64-Bit

Details:

N/A

L1 Cache:

32k/32k

L2/L3 Cache:

256k (x4), 8 MB

Details:

Each core has its own dedicated 256k level 2 cache and the system has 8 MB of shared level 3 cache.

RAM Type:

PC3-12800 DDR3*

Min. RAM Speed:

1600 MHz

Details:

*By default, this system has 8 GB of 1600 MHz DDR3 SDRAM. Apple does not intend for one to upgrade the RAM in this system. However, as first discovered by site sponsor OWC, this system has two SO-DIMM slots (204-pin). Unfortunately, accessing these slots requires one to pry off the display that is glued to the case and remove the logic board.

Also see: How do you upgrade the RAM in the "Late 2012" Tapered Edge Aluminum iMac models? Is it even possible? What type of RAM do they use? How much RAM does each model actually support?

Standard RAM:

8 GB

Maximum RAM:

16 GB*

Details:

*8 GB of RAM is standard and it could be upgraded at the time of purchase to 16 GB for an additional US$200. Although Apple does not intend for one to upgrade the RAM after purchase, and doing so is difficult, it is possible.

This model has a 21.5" LED-backlit 16:9 widescreen TFT active matrix display with IPS technology and a native resolution of 1920x1080. Apple also reports that the "cover glass is fully laminated to the LCD and an anti-reflective coating is applied." Previous Aluminum iMac models have the LCD covered by glass. The company no longer reports viewing angle or contrast ratio, however.

2nd Display Support:

Dual/Mirroring*

2nd Max. Resolution:

2560x1600 (x2)

Details:

*This model can simultaneously support two external displays up to 2560x1600 via Thunderbolt.

Standard Hard Drive:

1 TB (5400 RPM)

Int. HD Interface:

Serial ATA (6 Gb/s)

Details:

This model additionally could be custom configured with a 1 TB "fusion drive" for an extra US$250. The fusion drive combines a traditional hard drive with 128 GB of flash RAM to offer both significant storage capacity and enhanced performance.

Also see: How do you upgrade the hard drive in the "Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac models? What type of storage do they support? Is it even possible to upgrade these models?

*This iMac does not have an internal optical drive. Site sponsor PowerMax offers the external Apple USB SuperDrive for US$79. It writes DVD+R DL and DVD-R DL at 4X, DVD-R and DVD+R at 8X, DVD-RW at 6X, DVD+RW at 8X, reads DVD at 8X, writes CD-R at 24X, writes CD-RW at 16X, and reads CD at 24X.

Also see: What are the full capabilities of the external SuperDrive? Can it be used with other Macs?

Standard Modem:

None

Standard Ethernet:

10/100/1000Base-T

Details:

N/A

Standard AirPort:

802.11a/b/g/n (450 Mbit)

Standard Bluetooth:

4.0

Details:

AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n) and Bluetooth 4.0 standard.

USB Ports:

4 (3.0)

Firewire Ports:

None

Details:

Four USB 3.0 ports. No Firewire port.

Expansion Slots:

SDXC SD Card

Expansion Bays:

None

Details:

N/A

Incl. Keyboard:

Apple Wireless Keyboard

Incl. Input:

Magic Mouse/Trackpad

Details:

This model ships with a small aluminum "ultrathin, compact wireless keyboard" (no numeric keypad) and a choice of either the wireless "Magic Mouse", where the "entire top is a seamless multi-touch surface" that allows one to "navigate using intuitive finger gestures" or a wireless "Magic Trackpad" that provides multi-touch input like on a recent Apple notebook.

Also see: How does the "ultra thin" keyboard provided with the "Aluminum" iMac models compare to a more traditional desktop keyboard? How does it feel?

Case Type:

All-in-One

Form Factor:

21.5" iMac Late 2012

Details:

The 21.5-Inch "Late 2012" Aluminum iMac models use a case design with a glass front laminated directly to the LCD and an aluminum back that is thicker in the middle and tapers to a razor thin 5 mm edge. The entire device sits upon an aluminum "foot" that is 6.9 inches (17.5 cm) deep.

This model is equipped with two Thunderbolt ports. Thunderbolt is backwards-compatible with Mini DisplayPort-equipped displays as well as adapters that are compatible with Mini DisplayPort (DVI, VGA, dual-link DVI and HDMI). It also can support other peripherals that use the Thunderbolt standard, which provides a maximum theoretical 10 Gbps of bandwidth in both directions.

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